Smell is one of the most comforting and identifiable senses to a newborn.

From mom's perfume, to her sweat, to her soap, to her breast milk, everything adds together to make a general scent the baby can recognize. Since sight is still pretty poor, and touch is suspect without the addition of movement, smell is going to start forming brain connections quickly, forming memory.

In brief:
They just do

Smell is one of the most comforting and identifiable senses to a newborn.

From mom's perfume, to her sweat, to her soap, to her breast milk, everything adds together to make a general scent the baby can recognize. Since sight is still pretty poor, and touch is suspect without the addition of movement, smell is going to start forming brain connections quickly, forming memory.
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